The flower named Lilly

Chapter Twelve

Chapter12 – Alone in the woods

"Let'sgo" Robin's last words before he left with his men were still onLily's mind. She didn't know where the group of men was going buttoday they wouldn't be complete. One of them they left behind to lookafter her and even after suggestions it had been one the rest of thegroup had not thought of.

Lilyhad watched one by one leaving their camp and for the longest timeshe watched Alan. Both Much and him had suggested either suggested byRobin or suggested himself yet both were following their leader andleft her alone with another of the group.

Johndidn't speak much and quietly they sat on fallen trees and watchedthe fire dying out. The temperature was falling and she wrappedherself in Alan's blanket while she felt John's eyes on her. "Areyou cold? I mean... are you freezing?"

Beforethe servant girl shook her head she saw something in the corner ofher eyes. John was using his hands to rub his arms and shoulders."Cold?"

Hewas trying to talk to her trying to understand her incapability tospeak and with a smile on her face she nodded and pulled the blanketaround her shoulders even tighter.

"Yes,I thought so. I..." He looked at the fireplace before turning hisface back to her. "You can't speak, right? You... You must know Iknew someone like you. When I was a young boy the uncle of myneighbor didn't speak a word. He tried but... it sound like a dyingbird" John didn't laugh and Lily was glad he didn't. She satquietly next to him and listened.

"Itold Robin that maybe I can understand something you try to tell me.You know you can use your hands" John moved his hands and made itlook like his fingers were dancing. It looked both funny and nice andvery different from the tall dark bear that he looked like.

"Doyou think you want to try?"

Lilyneeded a moment to think about his question and didn't know how touse her hands to form the words she needed. She wanted to tell himthat she wanted to go back to Sir Guy and tell him the truth that hehad never hurt her.

Shewanted to move her fingers as fast as John had shown her but sheremained quiet and sadly shook her head.